Background
John Frain was born in Yardley, Birmingham.
John Frain was born in Yardley, Birmingham.
He played in all four divisions of the Football League, making nearly 500 league appearances for his two clubs. He joined Birmingham City from school, made his debut in the First Division in April 1986 aged 17, and signed full professional forms in October of that year. He was originally a left back, but good passing ability and a lack of pace saw him moved into midfield, towards the end of his Birmingham career returning to left-back.
He was the club"s free kick and penalty specialist.
He also appeared in the club"s 1994-1995 Third Division championship-winning season and in the early rounds of that year"s Football League Trophy, but played insufficient games to qualify for a league medal and did not play in the final. In 1996 he was awarded a testimonial match against Aston Villa in recognition of ten years" service.
He made 336 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring 28 goals. His free-transfer move to the club was made permanent at the end of that season.
He later played his part in the club winning automatic promotion back to League Two in 1999–2000.
He made 248 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring eight goals. In July 2003 Frain was appointed player/assistant manager of Moor Green. Frain retired as a player at the end of the 2004-2005 season due to a persistent knee injury, but retained his assistant manager"s post following the merger of Moor Green and Solihull Borough to form Solihull Moors, until he resigned in August 2008.
Frain combined his football duties with working as a mortgage underwriter. with Birmingham City.